Saturday, November 12, 2016

Nia for Health, Fitness, Beauty and Power



Nia is a movement practice that enlivens the body and spirit.  It has elements of dance, martial arts and healing arts.  In this article published in NiaAustralia, Sophie Marsh expresses the health, fitness, beauty and power of Nia.
























Photo credit: StudioNia in Portland, Oregon

Health, fitness, beauty + power
Posted 16th August, 2016 by Nia Australia

In a society that generally promotes an image of health, fitness, beauty and power that is air-brushed, ageless, homogeneous and unattainable, Nia says, ‘Come as you are, in your glorious wholeness and imperfection, learn to listen to your body’s wisdom, be kind to yourself, and dance like no one’s watching.'

No more apologies, guilt, comparison or shame. What if ‘Health’ was about choosing Joy and expansive self-love? What if ‘Fitness’ was measured as your capacity for pleasure playfully expressed? What if ‘Beauty’ was defined as inner peace? What if ‘Power’ meant owning your magnificence and honoring your temple body?



Nia is a movement practice that begins with tuning IN, accessing that powerful inner-sense that holds the beauty + essence that is YOU. There’s no pressure to perform or any expectation around keeping up. There is an invitation to leave distractions behind and Be Here Now. There is permission to play as big or small as feels safe for you. There is a delicious mix of music and movement, designed to condition and heal in your body’s own way and natural time. There is freedom for you to fully express all that you are. There is a wonderfully supportive community. There are 13 White Belt principles that can guide you into ‘Embodiment in this Lifetime’.


Nia welcomes without judgment your saggy and wobbly bits (and tight and toned bits too). It makes space for your 2 left feet (or wherever your coordination is at). It supports your nervous system to relax, adapt and create. Nia invites you to pay attention to your pain and bring your intention to heal and feel pleasure. You can move through your disappointments and celebrate your determination to be the best version of yourself. There’s no story around your tight shoulders, your dodgy knees, your shitty mood, your busy mind, your ‘hell yes’ or your ‘f*@# no’. Dance whatever is real and true for you in this moment. Seek inner stillness. Sound your authentic voice. Laugh. Cry. Be Seen. Disappear. Sweat your prayers. Move through your fears… or come home to your comfort zone. For it is ALL welcome for you to explore on the Nia dance floor.


It is exciting to be part of a global movement that is pioneering a multi-dimensional, inclusive, and empowering perception of health, fitness, beauty and power. 

Step in (again and again) to a Nia class, retreat or training and remember how good it can feel to move, create, express and be in your amazing body.


by Sophie Marsh
Sophie Marsh is Australia’s first Black Belt teacher and only Nia White Belt Trainer. She has dedicated nearly 2 decades to educating and inspiring people to move, heal and transform through Nia, while collaboratively building a vibrant Nia Australia community.

To learn more about the Nia Australia follow the link.

Currently, Mary Lee teaches Nia in Winona at the Friendship Center, 221 Main Street : 

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.  

She teaches Nia at the YMCA on Sundays at 1:30pm.

  • Monday and Wednesday 4:00pm
  • Thursday 5:00pm
  • Sunday 1:30pm

For additional Nia classes in other locations, check with NiaNow and type in your address to find a class near you.

Hope to dance with you soon!
 

 
 

 

Friday, July 1, 2016

Nia at Scrubs Camp

Winona State University hosted Scrubs Camp for High School students to learn about health, wellness and medicine.  I got the opportunity to introduce students to the exercise and healing practice of Nia.  Nia is a movement practice that involves the dance arts, martial arts and healing arts.  For three days, students could choose to take a Nia class for 50 minutes to get energized for their day.



On Monday, the class was full of young women and men who were trying Nia for the first time.  On Tuesday, several of the male students were back and their counselor invited them to be up front to show every one how to do it.  I took the pressure off the guys by telling everyone, that it was a different routine so all were new to what we were dancing.

In Nia, we use our voice to make sounds of  "Ha" or "Rah" when we kick or make a strike martial arts move.  The guys enjoyed that very well and used their strong voices to get every one energized.


There was lots of laughing with some of the movements.  The students kicked, shimmied, turned, danced, did planks, and moved their bodies.  Nia encourages movement to be done for pleasure and not pain.


Several Nia classes are available in Winona and the area.  Find Nia classes for your own health and well being.   See you on the dance floor!

Monday, February 15, 2016

Holiday of Love Valentine's Day 2016



February 14th--it may be my favorite day of the year. 



I appreciate a day dedicated to love. 

In my college days, when a sweetheart or lover was far from my life because I was too busy--my women friends were the sweetness of life.  We wrote each other notes of appreciation and cooked together and danced together and drank wine and contemplated life together.  These women friends were not my lovers; they were lovers of life.  

And we had a very good time together.

I feel glad to have a lover now.  We share many things together.  We have things that we enjoy separately too.  It makes a full life.  This year we celebrated at the Valentine's Bash at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum that was a benefit for the museum and the Great River Shakespeare Festival.  We strolled through the galleries looking at great art; we laughed with friends, ate some good food, and listened to some great music by Elsa Va and the Old Fashions.  

Life is good.

Thanks, Bob Stuber for sharing life with me and creating life as art.





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